ONE OF THE GREATEST DRAMAS OF ALL TIME ...
It took me a while to start this drama because of how underrated and not talked about enough it was...But watching it was the best choice like i finished all 17 ep 32-36 min each in one day. i love how the events took places and the how they focused on Eun-oh 's self finding journey which was so relatable in addition to her relationship with jae-won, whenever they're together on screen i feel the love in the air, thier chemistry was SUPERBBB.
But i gotta give the cutest couple for Rin-yi and kyeong-jun. And i looved that they talked about her minimilist life style that seemed unstable for kj and people around her, which felt soo realistic.
And my favourite thing about this show is the trio friendship of rin-yi, eun-oh and geon. mainly the way they listen to each others problems and truly care and love each other.
Overall one of the greatest underrated dramas ive watched recently if not ever that focused on real life problems in relationships, love, friendship and self discovery journey and much more.
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One of THE MOST UNDERRATED series
The format, the colours, the direction , the story- They're all so refreshing.This drama hits you in an emotional space that is rare unexplored by most dramas. I'm assuming it's the different format that has kept people from giving this a chance. Honestly I found it rather endearing. The interview-style narration to the camera makes you feel like the characters are personally talking to you.
The actors have done an amazing job showcasing the depth of the flawed but beautiful characters in the stories.
I highly recommend that everyone give this show the chance it deserves.
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Wasted opportunity
What a poorly written script! I underwent the torture of watching the pain of break up, huge misunderstandings, secrets and lack of honest conversation through out the series. What I could not understand is the premise of the break up. The main FL was a really confused woman, the way she behaved was not admirable or lovable. This life is really hard and one should try to appreciate what ever ease comes along the way instead of shooting one self in the foot. She was super lucky that she got back with JCW when she really did not deserve him.And why does JCW keeps on taking these kind of roles. What is wrong with his agency or his intellect. I will keep my fingers crossed and hope some one guides him to take a better project next time.
There was a wasted opportunity of great friendship amongst the three childhood friends. I believe when you don't share your grief or start keeping secrets, you loose the basics of strong friendship.
I also cant get behind the concept of a male and female friend living in same house for 2 years without developing feelings.
Some positive aspects were that the story had a modern feel to it with initial brave attempt to discuss sex and show some skinship. The long term couple was cute and tolerable. Episodes were shorter but felt very long.
Overall a wasted opportunity.
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This review may contain spoilers
An unexpected GEM
***SPOILERS AHEAD***I started this show on a random day just because I didnt know what to watch and didnt wanna commit to anything too long or deep and man, I couldnt have been more wrong. I think the reason I liked it so much is partly because I wasnt expecting it to be so good. Ji Chang Wook as usual, delivers an amazing performance and the chemistry between them is just incredible. Im not gonna lie the format is pretty different and it really threw me off for the first two or three episodes but once I got used to it and accepted that it was just a different format i didnt mind it at all, whats more i loved it.
I think we can all agree the scene when the MFL goes and sees him on the restaurant drunk is one of the best and most heartbreaking scenes in the history of kdramas 😭
I never really understood the whole deal with telling him they were somehow connected through other acquintances but okay i accept that for the plot s sake
Overall incredibly enjoyable and one of my top 10 favourite kdramas of all time
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The characters in this show are all flawed, but it's done in a way I find endearing.
The FL is selfish, but in a more complex way than that simply being it. She keeps everything she truly feels close to her chest, she doesn't want to burden others with her mistakes and her issues. This decision leads to her making more selfish decisions out of fear and avoidance of emotional vulnerability.The ML is possessive, but in a way, the audience can find it endearing. This endearing feeling people have about his clingy and possessive acts leads them to demonize the FL in a way that I find unfair. He's flawed too and in a way I find uncomfortable. He can't simply live without her like for him life doesn't mean anything without her. To him, she is everything no matter how harsh or mean she is.
The side leads are equally interesting and definitely deserved more screen time. They try to explore ideas but just scratch the surface on a lot of them. Misunderstanding and Miscommunication are common themes as well as the desire to know if you are loved.
The plot itself is quite boring, all of its mundane or cliche but what makes the show interesting is the editing and the talking heads. To see how these characters lie to each other but then lie to themselves/camera, then to see how they communicate honestly about relationships to each other through the 'documentarian' is quite interesting and funny. The talking heads highlight the individual character's personalities with some answers being long intricate, others blunt, and some avoid answering entirely.
Some unignorable flaws are being unbelievable of some parts of the plot and the weird sidetracked ending. However, these flaws should make this title have THIS low of a rating. Lots of people's complaints are about the toxicity of the FL, which I don't find valid as we aren't rating how much we morally agree with a character (which I don't btw) it's about the show and story overall.
Finally, I should mention how this show could not have been pulled off by subpar actors. These actors carried this mishmash of a plot and eccentric directing style. The main leads had such range in what they needed to pull off and they did it superbly.
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GOOD GOOD GOOD 3 GOODS!
This is a great show about reviving a romance that even if brief was powerful. Every couple feels special even if their aren't the main one. Couldn't wait for them to go back, so every episode felt too short and the plot moved a bit too slow, but when it did it left me so emotional. OST was strong having mostly cute song, but not something that strong. The acting and production is amazing!Was this review helpful to you?
Refreshing and realistic love stories
TL;DRIf you like a realistic love story between adults who have relatable baggage, you'll love this. Not to mention the eye candy and chemistry between the ML and FL.
I'll explain why:
It's been a few days since I've completed and I can't get the story out of my head! That's how emotionally invested I was. I wasn't sure what to expect from this drama at first, but I'm so glad I watched it. It's very relatable for people in their late twenties to mid-thirties, where you've had some experiences with love, but also understand that EVERYONE comes with baggage in a relationship. Lots of people seem to be hating on the FL—even though the ghosting is wrong, her fears are completely relatable (also given what she went through in her past). Some may say she is selfish, but her actions are based on her deep-seated fears and insecurities. I found myself crying a lot along with the FL as she worked through her insecurities and fears. Ji Chang Wook was perfect as usual in his role as the handsome and hopeless romantic (who also has his fair share of issues, even if they're less obvious). You can't help but root for him and feel his heartbreak as he pined away for the FL. I really felt his pain and confusion as he tried to figure out what the heck happened with their relationship when their connection was so magical and one-of-a-kind. Also, I thought his and Kim Ji Won's chemistry was amazing and only got better as the flashbacks progressed.
This drama is very realistic with no unnecessary love triangles, an evil person trying to break them up/harm one of the leads, overly controlling parents, an outlandishly rich CEO, etc. The interview format was interesting, although at some parts felt a little rocky as the interviewer started playing a role in the characters' stories and helping their relationships along (this wasn't a big deal for me and worked well in the end).
The side characters did a great job at adding some comic relief and I absolutely adore the friendship between the FL and her two besties. The only side plots that gave me question marks were the actress in the last episode and Minho's story. I wanted more of the FL and ML in the last episode even though their story wrapped up nicely by Ep 16.
I'll definitely be coming back to this drama at some point, especially when I need some encouragement and faith in relationships and self-love.
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So underrated, worths more!
This is the 2nd kdrama I've watched where Ji Chang Wook is the main character and I loved it as well. It was so full of intense feelings. He can reflect all the pain/happiness etc so good and the rest of the cast had the same energy (+their chemistry) which was ideal.As for the plot, firstly this type of documentary/interview was so unique compared to other dramas. All this "everyone's possible to be connected" scenario is so realistic. You never know who you'll meet or if your paths will cross each others again. The uncompleted (summer) love is the second realistic case. Ppl suppress their feelings often, are feared to express or trust their heart and sometimes the timing is so wrong.
The ring situation reminds me of a very personal experience and it broke my heart. I knew exactly how she felt and why she had it saved.
As for the other two couples the first one is based on a slow burn/"waiting for you till the right moment" which is so innocent and cute (I'm so jealous over that) and the second couple broke up bc the fem character doesn't believe in a boy/girl friendship. Which is sad. There are genuine friendships out there between both genders and ppl still don't believe in them. The couple clearly didn't communicate it correctly to understand each other's side and perhaps try to solve this situation or any other possible prob rather than break up.
Overall, it was an enjoyable series. Perhaps it could've been a little more short but its still really good and more ppl should recognize its value. This isnt the rating it deserves!!!
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LOVE! A Must Watch!
What can I say? This drama was AMAZING! I loved the different perspectives the writer brings for each character.The writer brought a fresh perspective to romance and got into the messiness that happens within real action ships.
I could relate to with the first ML because I have experienced being ghosted with no explanation. It does makes you a bit crazy especially when you loved that person. I had to accept it and find my own closure.
I definitely can understand how the First FL feels.
The acting was PHENOMENAL. The chemistry between the cast mates was so good! I enjoyed the highs and lows of the emotions with the characters. They are all flawed and that’s okay! Love is not perfection! It’s messy, bitter and sweet!
I would definitely rewatch this drama. The music was great! I really enjoyed it. I would recommend for the ppl reading the reviews to watch this drama for yourself!
It’s a different take and very refreshing than your typical drama!
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Everything in this series works!
"Lovestruck in the City" is a rarity of a romantic comedy -- one that's actually funny. I was still laughing about the drunken palm blast even while writing this review.PROS
1. Kim Ji Won is the reason I picked up this series and she really showcased her chops playing two very different aspects of a single character. I wanted to spend a week at the beach with one of them and hug the other. The candle lighting scene was so raw I felt all the feels. Her realistic portrayal of a woman who feels so much, yet shows a flat, cold front when overwhelmed rang true.
2. So Ju Yeon was pitch perfect and may have impressed me so much simply because I adored how she presented her character - a woman who is who she wants to be and makes no apologies, nor tolerates disrespect.
3. Ryu Kyung Soo did a marvelous job making a low key, taciturn character multi-dimensional. I was really rooting for his character and...
4. Han Ji Eun's shallow-at-first-glance, yet terrifying teacher character had the most interesting and surprising character journey of the series. Han Ji Eun took a tough, intimidating persona and made her 90% of why the comedy worked, and still delivered one of the most touching scenes of the show.
5. Kim Min Sook brought gravity to a character that could easily have been relegated to comic relief otherwise.
6. Park Jae Won wasn't my favorite character, his tenacity bordered on obsession, but Ji Chang Wook put all his emotions on the line to make it work.
7. Breaking the fourth wall - well, almost: by using a reality show interview style we got a view inside the heads of the characters and their perceptions of the story. It was fascinating to contrast what they claimed was their persona versus what they showed us through the action.
8. The scriptwriter crafted an original, nuanced, touching, and witty show that held enough turns to keep it interesting for 17 episodes. It's really, really hard to tell so many stories and be fair to all the characters; this is the most successful effort I've seen.
9. The director gave the cast room to develop their characters. The result of that is why my rating is so high. Also, that long shot of Oh Sun Young after her final meeting with Kang Gun was a heart punch.
CONS
1. Unlike some other reviewers I wasn't bothered by a pop-up romance in the 17th episode. It had been teased in the 16th, so it wasn't a total surprise, plus it showcased a previously underutilized character. What did bother me was the zero backgrounding of who these two characters were to each other and what was behind their familiarity.
2. Obviously the two leads are going to get together in the end, but it felt abrupt when it happened, a 180 from where the FL's character was previously. Maybe I just needed a little more transition on how the FL's character leapt to that point from her adamant push back until then. Perhaps even one brief shot showing her reluctance crumble.
So many things worked so well in this series that it deserves an 8+ rating overall and I'm baffled by the lower scores. I enjoyed every episode and would definitely rewatch the series.
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A REFRESHING DRAMA
Aside from the fact that Kim Ji Won and Ji Chang Wook are here, this drama is so refreshing! The plot appeared so raw and realistic. I loved how it really showed the real-life struggles a couple may have. It's not your typical fairy tale love story but I promise you, this drama will not disappoint you. I know that this drama will be good but I didn't expect that I would love it this much. So, if you're looking for a sign to watch this, then this is it.The cinematography, beach views, surfing, plot, osts, casts are just perfection.
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